Ceramic armor plate with enhanced curvature

ABSTRACT

A carrier system that includes a multi-curve front body armor plate that is wearable on a front torso having a protruding chest. The strike face has a lower region with a lower convex portion shaped to follow a cylindrical contour of an abdomen and chest of the torso. An upper portion of the strike face laterally tapers to a top edge and curves backwardly to accommodate the protruding chest. An armor carrier of the carrier system includes (i) a back panel; (ii) a front panel having an opening that is sized to receive the multi-curve front body armor plate; and (iii) a shoulder harness connecting the front and back panels. The shoulder harness providing a support surface that rests upon shoulders of a wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/896,434 entitled “CERAMIC ARMOR PLATE WITH ENHANCED CURVATURE” filed 5 Sep. 2019, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The field of art disclosed herein pertains to armor materials, and more particularly for composite ceramic materials for ballistic protection.

2. Description of the Related Art

Military standard body armor plates are presently based on established and proven technologies. For example, monolithic boron carbide (B4C) or Silicon Carbide (SiC) plates over an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) backing layer are frequently used. UHMWPE is a type of high-strength polymer and includes the generic families of Dyneema, Spectra Shield, Twaron, and Tensylon. Alternative backing layers include other polymer or fibrous materials, such as E-glass, S-glass, or para-aramid. Para-aramid is another high-strength polymer and includes the generic families of Kevlar and Twaron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example multi-curve body armor plate worn on a male torso and having a first complex curvature, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the example multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 1 worn on the male torso, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a top left isometric view of the example multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 1 worn on the male torso, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a front right isometric view of the example multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 1 worn on a female torso, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a front right isometric view of an example multi-curve body armor plate worn on the female torso and having a reduced height and second complex curvature, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a top left isometric view of the example multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 5 worn on the female torso, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary multi-curve body armor plate, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the exemplary multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 7, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the exemplary multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 7, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a detail right side view of the exemplary multi-curve body armor plate of FIG. 9, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a top right isometric view of a carrier system for a multi-curved body armor plate, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a graphical plot of illustrative dimensions of a plate pouch of the carrier system of FIG. 11, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a right isometric view of front panel of an example carrier system, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 14 is front view of a direct elastic underarm and waist cummerbunds with vertical link strap for the example carrier system of FIG. 13, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 15 is front view of a fabric encased direct elastic underarm and waist cummerbunds with vertical link strap for the example carrier system of FIG. 13, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a back view of a stretch fabric underarm cummerbund for the example carrier system of FIG. 13, according to one or more embodiments; the fabric used may be a mesh, or may be another breathable fabric according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a back view of a Lycra/Elatane-Polyester compression fabric underarm cummerbund for the example carrier system of FIG. 13, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a right isometric view of the example carrier system of FIG. 13 with the fabric encased direct elastic underarm and waist cummerbunds of FIG. 15, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a right isometric view of the example carrier system of FIG. 18 with the vertical link strap of FIG. 15 installed, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 20 is a right isometric view of the example carrier system of FIG. 19 with a compression fabric cover on the upper cummerbund on vertical link strap, according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 21 is a right isometric view of the example carrier system of FIG. 19 with a compression fabric cover on the upper cummerbund and vertical link strap, according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 depict an example multi-curve body armor plate 100 worn toward the front of a male torso 102. FIG. 4 depicts the example multi-curve body armor plate 100 worn on a female torso 104. Multi-curve body armor plate 100 has a ceramic strike face 106 having a first complex curvature that outwardly presents a convex surface to ballistic projectiles. The armor plate 100 is wearable on a front torso 102, 104 of a person having a protruding chest. The strike face 106 has a lower region 108 with a lower convex portion shaped to follow a cylindrical contour of an abdomen and chest of the torso 102, 104. An upper portion 110 of the strike face 106 laterally tapers to a top edge and curves backwardly to accommodate the protruding chest.

FIGS. 5-6 depicts an example multi-curve body armor plate 500 worn on the female torso 104. Multi-curve body armor plate 500 has a reduced height and a second complex curvature that corresponds closer to the female torso 104.

FIGS. 7-10 depict an exemplary multi-curve body armor plate 700 that conforms to the front contours of a human torso.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-curve body armor plate system provides:

(i) Horizontal axis curvature (X°) of from 8° to 22°; and (ii) Vertical axis curvature (Y°) of from 9° to 28°. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-curve body armor plate system provides: (i) Horizontal axis curvature (X°) of from 12° to 22°; and (ii) Vertical axis curvature (Y°) of from 13° to 25°. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-curve body armor plate system provides: (i) Horizontal axis curvature (X°) of from 14° to 16°; and (ii) Vertical axis curvature (Y°) of from 15° to 18°.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-curve body armor plate system provides for body armor plates having a horizontal axis curvature which approaches a curvature of at least 12°, 15°, 17°, or 20° along with a vertical axis curvature which approaches a curvature of at least 15°, 17°, 21°, or 24°, despite the fact that this would immediately facilitate the use of said armor plates by subjects with a need for such curvatures. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the plate is sized to fit a generally shorter and narrower female torso.

Ceramic materials of the plates can be made as disclosed in: (i) U.S. Pat. No. 10,234,243 to Ganor, entitled “Antiballistic armor comprising a super-hard strike face”; (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 10,215,537 to Ganor, entitled “Modular ceramic composite antiballistic armor”; and (iii) U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 20170275742 to Ganor, entitled “Ceramic and metal boron nitride nanotube composites” the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

In one or more embodiments, the plate is not comprised of a ceramic material bonded to aramid or to an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber composite plate, instead it is comprised of solely of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber composite material; solely of steel or a metal alloy with comparable strength and toughness; of a high-hardness metal such as steel bonded to aramid or to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber composites; of a ceramic material bonded to a metal alloy; of a carbon-fiber or SiC-fiber reinforced ceramic article; of carbon fiber composite materials; of glass fiber composite materials; of basalt fiber composite materials; of a castable ballistic polymer; of a ceramic article encapsulated in aluminum or magnesium; or of aluminum.

FIG. 11 depicts a carrier system 1100 having an armor carrier 1102 with front and back panels 1104, 1106 for carrying armor plates. A shoulder harness 1108 connects the front and back panels. The shoulder harness providing a support surface that rests upon shoulders of a wearer. According to aspects of the present innovation, the front panel 1104 can hold a multi-curved body armor plate 100 (FIG. 1). The armor carrier 1102 incorporates what is effectively an integral sports-bra. If the standard plate carrier looks like a “plate carrier,” according to aspects of the present innovation the carrier system 1100 look like a “female plate carrier.” Carrier system 1100 has an extra adjustment mechanism and extra padding around the bust line, which is fairly strong and elastic to function as a sports bra. Side pouches can be included for optional side plates (not shown). With a strong and elastic adjustment mechanism around the bust line, the plate can be held close and tight against the upper torso. Tests conducted have shown that women wearing armor plates are significantly more comfortable if the plate is worn in this manner. The carrier system 1100 is built for plates with an enhanced curvature, but can accommodate standard multi-curve plates. The bust-line adjustment mechanism can be removed, unfastened, or loosened quickly. The bust-line adjustment mechanism is held in place either by Velcro, by a buckle, or by a rapid-release plastic fasteners.

A plate pocket 1110 is made of soft fabric, and is in some manifestations elastic, so the plate pocket 1110 will fit all plates within a certain size range, such as 7″×9″ to 10″×12″, and can accommodate various degrees of curvature. Given the exaggerated curvature of the new plate, along with the fact that it is being worn angled forward against the wearer's body to some extent, an elastic band around the bust of the wearer and that is behind the plate provides additional support and comfort. FIG. 12 is a graphical plot 1200 of illustrative dimensions of a plate pouch of the carrier system 1100.

FIG. 13 depicts a front panel of the carrier system 1100. Each of the front and back panels 1104, 1106 include an S-shaped gusset panel to provide a rain barrier. Un upper point of front and back flaps 1112 respectively of the front and back panels 1104, 1106 are higher the generally known carrier systems to accommodate an underarm cummerbund. For example, FIG. 14 depicts detachable direct elastic underarm and waist cummerbunds 1420, 1422 with a vertical link strap 1424 for the armor carrier 1102 the carrier system 1100 (FIG. 11).

The vertical link strap 1424 is separate attachable with vertical elastic of adjustable link strap could be introduced to make the upper strap (underarm cummerbund 1420) follow forward when reaching back for lower waist cummerbund to make easier to grab hold of end for fixing in place at front.

In one or more embodiments, the direct elastic underarm cummerbund 1420 uses 50 mm wide elastic. FIG. 15 depicts detachable fabric encased direct elastic underarm and waist cummerbunds 1520, 1422 with a vertical link strap 1424 for the armor carrier 1102 the carrier system 1100 (FIG. 11). FIG. 16 depicts a detachable stretch mesh fabric underarm cummerbund 1620 for the armor carrier 1102 the carrier system 1100 (FIG. 11). FIG. 17 depicts a detachable Lycra/Elatane-Polyester compression fabric underarm cummerbund 1720 for the armor carrier 1102 the carrier system 1100 (FIG. 11). In one or more embodiments, the stretch mesh and compression fabric underarm cummerbunds 1620 (FIG. 16), 1720 (FIG. 17) are 50 mm wide with 75 mm wide Velcro attachment pads. FIG. 18 depicts the carrier system 1100 with an attached fabric encased direct elastic underarm cummerbund 1820 and waist cummerbund 1822. FIG. 19 depicts the carrier system 1100 with the attached fabric encased direct elastic underarm cummerbund 1820 and waist cummerbund 1822 with an attached vertical link strap 1924. FIG. 20 depicts the example carrier system 1100 with a compression fabric cover 2026 over the attached upper cummerbund 1820 (FIG. 18). FIG. 21 depicts the example carrier system 1100 with a compression fabric cover 2026 over the attachment of the vertical link strap 1924 to the upper cummerbund 1820 (FIG. 18).

In one or more embodiments, the armor carrier includes a load-distribution system; this links the carrier to a hip belt, passive exoskeleton, or powered exoskeleton, and reduces the perceived load on the wearer's shoulders and back.

In one or more embodiments, the load distribution device comprises a flexible back brace secured to a back portion of the armor vest/carrier; a belt; a coupling, wherein the coupling attaches the belt to the back portion of the carrier adjacent a lower portion of the flexible back brace; and strap supports, wherein the strap supports slideably connect a front portion of the armor vest to the back portion of the armor vest through a ring-like device.

Velcro is described throughout description and shown throughout the figures as a means to secure parts of carrier 1100 together. Alternative forms of removeable attachments may be used, including but not limited to, buttons, snaps, or other suitable forms of attachment.

Clasps may comprise plastic or other suitable forms of material for attachment. Any form of clasps, buckles, and other suitable forms of connectors may be used. D-rings, rings, and strap connectors may comprise plastic, metal, or other suitable forms of material for creating static and dynamic connections with the strap support. In one or more embodiments, the belt may comprise a multilayered materials including padding and foam configured for a comfort fit.

The present invention may be used in connection with back packs, alternative types of armor vests and plate carriers, and other applications requiring use of a support system to redistribute weight away from the shoulders of a wearer of a system implementing the present invention. As shown throughout the figures, carrier 1100 may have additional straps attached along various aspects of its surface for holding packs, grenades, carabineers, and other devices and materials.

In one or more embodiments, the protective vest may comprise a vest shell, at least one cooling subsystem and an onboard power supply. Each cooling subsystem may include a cooling disbursement element, a thermoelectric module and a heat dissipation assembly. The cooling disbursement element may comprise at least one coolant bladder attached to the inner layer. The heat dissipation assembly may include a fan element and a heat sink. The thermoelectric module may be in heat-transferring communication between the cooling disbursement element and the heat dissipation assembly. The fan element may be configured to force a flow of air across the heat sink. The power supply may be in electrical power-providing communication with the thermoelectric module and the fan element.

In one or more embodiments, the vest shell may have a heat exchange aperture extending from the inner layer of the vest shell through the outer layer. At least a portion of either the heat sink or the thermoelectric module, or the combined heat sink and thermoelectric module, may protrude through the heat exchange aperture such that at least a portion of the fins of the heat sink extend outwardly of the outer layer.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “colorant agent” includes two or more such agents.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited herein, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the methods and compositions of the invention substantially reduce or eliminate the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with prior art methods and compositions.

It should be noted that, when employed in the present disclosure, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and other derivatives from the root term “comprise” are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention herein disclosed fulfill the objectives stated above, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-curve front body armor plate comprises: a ballistic ceramic strike face wearable on a front torso and comprising: a lower convex portion shaped to follow a cylindrical contour of an abdomen and chest; and an upper portion that laterally tapers to a top edge and curves backwardly to accommodate a protruding chest of the front torso.
 2. The multi-curve front body armor plate of claim 1, wherein where the upper portion has a backward curve from a midpoint to the top edge of the of the ballistic ceramic strike face in a range between 17° and 33°.
 3. The multi-curve front body armor plate of claim 1, further comprising a layer of steel brazed to a back surface of the ballistic ceramic strike face.
 4. A carrier system comprising: a multi-curve front body armor plate comprises: a ballistic ceramic strike face wearable on a front torso and comprising: a lower region a lower convex portion shaped to follow a cylindrical contour of an abdomen and chest; and an upper portion that laterally tapers to a top edge and curves backwardly to accommodate a protruding chest of the front torso; and an armor carrier comprising: a back panel; a front panel having an opening that is sized to receive the multi-curve front body armor plate; and a shoulder harness connecting the front and back panels and providing a support surface that rests upon shoulders of a wearer.
 5. The carrier system of claim 4, further comprising: a lower cummerbund attached between lower portions and on a same lateral side of the front and back panels; and an upper cummerbund attached above the lower cummerbund between the same lateral side of the front and back panels.
 6. The carrier system of claim 5, further comprising a vertical strap attached between the upper and lower cummerbunds.
 7. The carrier system of claim 5, wherein the upper cummerbund comprises a direct elastic band.
 8. The carrier system of claim 5, wherein the upper cummerbund comprises a fabric covered direct elastic band.
 9. The carrier system of claim 5, wherein the upper cummerbund comprises a breathable stretch fabric.
 10. The carrier system of claim 5, wherein the upper cummerbund comprises a compression fabric
 11. The carrier system of claim 5, wherein where the upper portion of the multi-curve front body armor plate has a backward curve from a midpoint to the top edge of the of the ballistic ceramic strike face in a range between 17° and 33°.
 12. The carrier system of claim 5, integrated with a passive exoskeleton, powered exoskeleton, or hip belt, for load distribution purposes. 